Collapse resistant respirator

Abstract

A respirator including a collapse-resistant means for resisting collapse of the respirator main body due to respiration of a user during use of such a respirator is disclosed. Specifically, in various embodiments, the collapse-resisting means may be a deflection member, a stiffening material, fastening components configured to apply an outward-facing deflection force when the respirator is worn, or any combination thereof. Additionally, a dual exhalation vent assembly adapted for use in a collapse resisting respirator is also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A respirator comprising
 a main body adapted to cover the mouth and nose of a user of the respirator; 
 a collapse-resisting means for resisting the collapse of the main body due to respiration of a user during use of such a respirator; and 
 a dual exhalation vent assembly comprising: 
 an inner vent assembly comprising
 a first inner vent body defining a first inner vent body opening, the first inner vent opening further comprising a first membrane covering the first inner vent body opening; 
 a second inner vent body defining a second inner vent body opening, the second inner vent opening further comprising a second membrane covering the second inner vent body opening; and 
 a strut comprising a first end joined to the first inner vent body, a second end joined to the second inner vent body, and a length spanning between the first end and the second end, the strut forming the collapse-resistant means; and 
 a first outer vent body adapted to attach to the first inner vent body with at least a portion of a main body of a respirator disposed between the first outer vent body and the first inner vent body, and where the first outer vent body defines a first outer vent body opening; and 
 a second outer vent body adapted to attach to the second inner vent body with at least a portion of a main body of a respirator disposed between the second outer vent body and the second inner vent body, and where the second outer vent body defines a second outer vent body opening. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The respirator of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer vent assembly comprising
 the first outer vent body; 
 the second outer vent body; and 
 a connector comprising a first connector end joined to the first outer vent body, 
 a second connector end joined to the second outer vent body, and a connector length spanning between the first connector end and the second connector end. 
 
     
     
       3. The respirator of  claim 2 , where the collapse-resistant means comprises
 a first fastening component attached to a first side of the main body, 
 a second fastening component attached to an opposite second side of the main body, and 
 a strap, where the strap is engaged with both the first and second fastening components, and 
 where the first and second fastening components are configured to apply an outward-facing deflection force to the main body when the respirator is worn by a user. 
 
     
     
       4. The respirator of  claim 3 , where the first fastening component comprises an exhalation vent. 
     
     
       5. The respirator of  claim 1 , further comprising a first attachment point positioned on a first side of the main body; and a second attachment point positioned on an opposite second side of the main body. 
     
     
       6. The respirator of  claim 5 , further comprising a strap,
 where the first attachment point comprises a first fastening component, 
 where the second attachment point comprises a second fastening component, 
 where the strap is engaged with both the first and second fastening components, and 
 where the first and second fastening components are configured to apply an outward-facing deflection force to the main body when the respirator is worn by a user. 
 
     
     
       7. The respirator of  claim 1 , where the respirator is adapted to be substantially flat when not being worn by a user. 
     
     
       8. A respirator comprising
 a main body adapted to cover the mouth and nose of a user of the respirator; 
 a collapse-resisting means for resisting the collapse of the main body due to respiration of a user during use of such a respirator; 
 a first exhalation vent assembly positioned on a first side of the main body and 
 a second exhalation vent assembly positioned on an opposite second side of the main body, where each of the first and second exhalation vent assemblies comprise 
 an inner vent body defining an inner vent body opening, 
 an outer vent body attached to the inner vent body, the outer vent body defining an outer vent body opening, where at least some portion of the main body of the respirator is disposed between a portion of the inner vent body and a portion of the outer vent body, 
 a membrane disposed between the inner vent body opening and the outer vent body opening, and 
 a fastening component attached to the outer vent body; and 
 a strap, where the strap is engaged with the fastening components of both of the first and second exhalation vent assemblies, 
 where the collapse-resisting means comprises a strut, the strut comprising a first end attached to the inner vent body of the first exhalation vent assembly, 
 a second end attached to the inner vent body of the second exhalation vent assembly, and 
 a length spanning between the first end and the second end, and 
 where the strut is adapted to span between the first and second exhalation vent assemblies along an interior surface of the main body. 
 
     
     
       9. The respirator of  claim 8 , where the main body further comprises
 a central portion; and 
 a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and comprising a periphery of the main body and all the areas of the main body configured for contacting the face of a user of such a respirator, 
 where at least a portion of the collapse-resisting means is positioned within the central portion.